15-year-old girl sexually assaulted in Heywood

Alleyway between Gorsey Hill Street and King Street, Heywood

A 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Heywood as she made her way to school at around 7:50am on Friday (10 July).

She was walking through an alleyway between Gorsey Hill Street and King Street, Heywood when she was approached from behind by a man.

The man lifted up the girl’s skirt, prompting her to turn around before he then lifted up her skirt again and stroked her leg at which point she fought him off. The offender then ran back out of the alley into the direction of Gorsey Hill Street.

The offender is described as a 17-19-year-old white male, approximately 6ft tall, of slim to medium build with short dark hair and very light stubble around his jaw. He was wearing a light blue hooded jacket with a zip on the front and spoke with a local accent.

PC David McMahon said: “This incident has left the young victim feeling understandably very distressed and I would like to pay tribute to her for the bravery she showed fighting off the offender.

“Incidents like this are very rare in Heywood and we take incidents like this extremely seriously and have now stepped up patrols in the area.

“We are very keen to speak to anybody who may have seen a male fitting this description in the area at around this time or anybody else that may have any information about this incident.”

Anybody with information should contact the Rochdale South Neighbourhood policing team on 0161 856 8701 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.